Sample collector

ABSTRACT

To separate each of a plurality of samples of a fluid from a body of the fluid and deposit each sample into a different one of a plurality of bottles, the downwardly extending outlet of a funnel, being offset from a vertical axis of rotation of the funnel, orbits step-by-step in a circle around the vertical axis above a distributing plate as the funnel rotates to guide fluid into each of a plurality of separated inlets in the distributing plate as the fluid is pumped from the body of the fluid through intake and funnel hoses and into the large, circular upwardly extending inlet of the funnel, with the outlet of the funnel hose being positioned at a fixed location lying along an imaginary circle the downward projection of which lies within the inlet of the funnel. To guide the samples from the funnel outlet into separate bottles, the distributing plate includes a circle of inlets beneath the orbit of the funnel outlet to receive the samples and two concentric circles of outlets, with each outlet: (1) communicating with a different inlet through a passageway, which passageway extends in a different direction from the inlet than the two adjacent passageways, so that the the inlets are all in one central circle between the two circles of outlets; and (2) being positioned over the open end of a different bottle, with the bottles forming two circles of circumferentially-spaced bottles.

Umted States Patent 1 [111 3, 01

Lederer Dec. 23, 1975 1 SAMPLE COLLECTOR Primary Examiner-Richard E.Aegerter [75] Inventor: Louis Franklin Lederer, Lincoln, AssistantExammernlfredenitk Schmldt Nebn Attorney, Agent, or Fzrm-V1ncent L.Carney [73] Assignee: Instrumentation Specialties [57] ABSTRACT Company,Lincoln, Nebr.

[22] Filed: Nov. 1, 1973 [21] Appl. No.: 411,683

Related US. Application Data [62] Division of Ser. No. 241,033, April 4,1972, Pat. No.

[52] US. Cl 141/98; 62/459; 220/4 C {51] Int. Cl. B65B 3/04; F25D 3/02[58] Field of Search 23/253, 259; 73/421 B, 73/431; 62/371, 459, 463,464; 141/13, 130, 231, 235, 236, 248, 250, 279, 284, 286, 340, 387, 388,98; 166/264; 206/DIG. 803, 4; 220/4 C, 4 D, 20, 55 T, 9 R, l0, 13;222/70, 144.5, 168, 168.5, 330; 294/67 DC, 82 R [56] References CitedUNITED STATES PATENTS 52,691 2/1866 Davis 220/10 1,156,723 10/1915Thomas 220/13 2,133,856 10/1938 Guthrie 62/459 X 2,324,495 7/1943Deming. 220/9 R 3,478,596 11/1969 Farrell, Jr.. 73/421 B 3,485,40812/1969 Benesch 220/4 C 3,598,161 8/1971 Baldwin 141/284 3,780,75712/1973 Jordan 141/59 X To separate each of a plurality of samples of afluid from a body of the fluid and deposit each sample into a differentone of a plurality of bottles, the downwardly extending outlet of afunnel, being offset from a vertical axis of rotation of the funnel,orbits step-bystep in a circle around the vertical axis above adistributing plate as the funnel rotates to guide fluid into each of aplurality of separated inlets in the distributing plate as the fluid ispumped from the body of the fluid through intake and funnel hoses andinto the large, circular upwardly extending inlet of the funnel, withthe outlet of the funnel hose being positioned at a fixed location lyingalong an imaginary circle the downward projection of which lies withinthe inlet of the funnel. To guide the samples from the funnel outletinto separate bottles, the distributing plate includes a circle ofinlets beneath the orbit of the funnel outlet to receive the samples andtwo concentric circles of outlets, with each outlet: (1) communicatingwith a different inlet through a passageway, which passageway extends ina different direction from the inlet than the two adjacent passageway s,so that the the inlets are all in one central circle between the twocircles of outlets; and (2) being positioned over the open end of adifferent bottle, with the bottles forming two circles ofcircumferentially-spaced bottles.

13 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures Sheet 1 of 2 US. Patent Dec. 23, 1975 US.Patent Dec. 23, 1975 Sheet 2 of2 3,927,701

3:; "8'4"" Q r 9a 88 70 H I [I4 2 I I I FIG. 3

r I00 26A 2 86 l8 96 BI 90 74 30A I 7-6 I6 35A 0 I illlllui 78 I I l I l34A I |24 I26) 9M I FUNNEL FUNNEL FIG. 5 ggga MOTOR I02 I20 I34 70 I22I38 I28- INTERVAL I30 53% PUMP TIMER {CONTROL PUMP DRIVE FUNNEL F SWITCHDRIVE FUNNEL m SWlTCH SAMPLE COLLECTOR This is a division, ofapplication Ser. No. 241,033, filed Apr. 4, I972, by Louis FranklinLederer, now US. Pat. No. 3,838,719.

This invention relates to sample collectors and more particularly toapparatuses for removing fluid from a body of fluid and depositingportions of the field in different containers.

In one class of sample collectors, each of several different samples offluid is pumped in succession through an intake hose and a funnel hoseand deposited in a different container through a different passageway,with the pump reversing between samples to clear the sections of thehose of fluid, thereby avoiding crosscontamination.

In one type of prior art sample collector of this class, the outlet ofthe funnel section of hose is mechanically moved over the inlets to thepassageways to deposit a different sample of the fluid into each bottlethrough the passageway communicating with that bottle. .The inlets tothe passageways are circumferentially-spaced openings in an annularsupport and the passageways are hoses, each of which communicates at oneend with a different one of the circumferentially-spaced openings and atthe other end with the interior of a different one of the bottles.

The prior art sample collectors of this type have several disadvantages,such as: (l the hoses frequently become clogged with solid material fromthe body of fluid because the intake and funnel hoses are excessivelylong and, under some circumstances, include bent portions in the funnelhose which are formed as the funnel hose is positioned over certain ofthe inlets to the passageways; (2) it is difficult to clear the hose offluid from one sample before drawing another sample because of itslength and curved sections; (3) the passageways become clogged becausethey are long, curved and there is no pump pressure to clear thepassageways; and (4) the funnel hose becomes worn after a relativelyshort period of use because of the frequent flexing of the hose inpositioning it over the inlets to the passageways.

Accordingly, it is an object of the invention to provide a novel samplecollector.

It is further object of the invention to provide a fluid guiding systemfor a sample collector, which fluid guiding system is resistant toclogging.

It is a still further object of the invention to provide a samplecollector in which the funnel hose is relatively short and relativelystraight.

It is a still further object of the invention to provide a samplecollector in which it is relatively easy to clear the sections of hoseafter a sample has been taken.

It is a still further object of the invention to provide a samplecollector in which the path through which fluids are guided may bechanged from leading to one container to leading to a differentcontainer without flexing any hose or moving any container.

It is a still further object of the invention to provide a fluid guidingsection for a sample collector that is reliable and inexpensive.

In accordance with the above and further objects of the invention, asample collector includes an intake hose, a pump, a rotatable funnel, adistributing plate and a compartment for a plurality of bottles.

To distribute the fluid from the distributing section of hose intodifferent ones of the plurality of bottles, the

funnel has a large, upwardly-opening circular inlet and a smalldownwardly extending outlet that is offset from the vertical axis ofrotation of the funnel so that it orbits about vertical axis ofrotation. The outlet of the funnel hose is always positioned above therotating circular inlet of the funnel so that the pump forces samples ofthe fluid from the body of the fluid through the intake and funnel hosesand into the inlet of the funnel, with the outlet of the funnel orbitingabout the vertical axis in step-by-step fashion to guide the fluidthrough the distributing plate into each of the plurality of differentbottles below the distributing plate.

To enable samples to be deposited into two circles of bottles, thedistributing plate includes: (1) a plurality of inlets positioned in acircle beneath the path of the orbiting outlet of the funnel to receivethe fluid from the funnel; (2) a plurality of passageways, each havingone end communicating with and a portion extending downwardly and in agenerally radial direction from a different one of the plurality ofinlets, with alternate passageways extending in different radialdirections toward or from the vertical axis of the funnel; and (3) aplurality of outlets, each communicating with the other end of adifferent one of the plurality of passageways to form two circles ofoutlets concentric with each other and with the circle of inlets andlocated on both radial sides of the circle of inlets. The bottles havetheir open ends positioned under the outlets.

The sample collector of this invention has several advantages, such as:(I) it is resistant to clogging because the sections of hose are short,stationary and coupled directly to the pump so the pressure of the pumpforces foreign material from the hose; (2) it is easier to clear offluid after a sample is taken because the sections of hose are short; 3)it is simple and inexpensive because a molded plastic distributor plateenables multiple concentric circles of bottles to be filled withouthaving to move the outlet of a hose in radial and circular directions;and (4) it is durable because the sections of hoses are not bent orflexed.

The above-noted and further features of the invention will be betterunderstood from the following detailed description when considered withreference to the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a'sample collector including anembodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the sample collector shown inFIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an elevational view, partly broken away and sectioned, of thesample collector shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a simplified elevational view of an interval timer that is aportion of the sample collector of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of a control section that is a part of thesample collector of FIG. 1.

GENERAL STRUCTURE AND OPERATION In FIG. 1 there is shown, in aperspective view, a liquid sample collector 10, having a generallycylindrical base 12, a generally cylindrical cover 14 fitted to the base12 and a tubular intake hose 16 extending through and dependingdownwardly from an opening 18 in the upper portion of the base 12. Thebase 12 includes a sample bottle tub 20, a control section 22conformably fittingover the sample bottle tub 20 and receiving the cover14', and a liquid routing section 24, conformably fitting between thesample bottle tub 20 and the control section 22, with the controlsection 22 having three cable-harness attaching eyelets 26 mountedthereon two of which are shown at 26A and 26B adapted to receive thehooks of a removable cable harness 28 by which the sample collector maybe lowered through a manhole.

The base 12 and cover 14 are of tough,chemical resistant plastic withexternal parts that fit tightly together and are latchable in place sothat the entire sample collector 10 is able to withstand corrosiveenvironments and even accidental submersion in a liquid for shortperiods of time. As shown in the broken-away portion of FIG. 3, thesample bottle tub is formed with double walls 21, 23 having insulation25 within it.

To latch the cover 14 to the control section 22, three upper plasticlatches 30, twoof which are shown at A and 30B are flexibly mounted atone end to the control section 22 at three circumferentially-spacedlocations and each adapted to engage with a corresponding one of threeupper latch abutments 32, two of which are shown a circumferentiallyspaced locations 32A and 32B on the cover 14.

To latch the bottle tub 20, the liquid routing section 24 and thecontrol section 22 together, three lower stainless steel latches 34, twoof which are shown at 34A and 34B, are provided at circumferentiallyspaced locations on the bottle tub 20 and adapted to engage withcorresponding ones of the three latching plates 36, two of which areshown at 36A and 363, at circumferentially-spaced locations on thecontrol section 22.

The sample collector 10 is used to collect a plurality of samples of aliquid into a group of different containers across a period of time fromany body ofliquid such as from a river, sewerage system, process vat orthe like. Before operation, the containers are loaded into the bottletub 20, the bottle tub 20, the liquid routing section 24, and thecontrol section 22 are latched together and the cover 14 and controlsection 2 are latched together.

To operate the sample .collector 10, the tubular intake hose 16 isinserted into the body of liquid that is to be sampled and the samplecollector is started by press- FLOW SYSTEM STRUCTURE In FIG. 2, there isshown, in an exploded perspective view, the interior of the bottle tubhaving a hollow cylindrical separating wall 38 defining in its interiora cylindrical ice section 40 coaxial with the bottle tub 20 and defininga cylindrical bottle section 42 between its outer side and the wall ofthe bottle tub 20. Within the bottle section 42 are an outer circle of afirst plurality of circumferentially-Iocated, open bottles 44 and aninner circle of a second plurality of circumferentiallylocated, openbottles 46, with the bottles of the outer plurality being held inposition by a plurality of circumferentially-spaced bottle positioningmembers 47 attached to the inner wall of the bottle tub 20.

Above the bottle tub 20 is the fluid distributing section 24, one partof which 'is a generally disc-shaped perforated plastic distributingplate 48 shown in FIG. 2, the remainder of the fluid distributingsection 24 being within thecon'trol section 22 where it is not visiblein the view shown in FIG. 2. The distributing plate 48 includes a solid,flat cylindrical raised central section 54 that overlies the outer rimof the bottle tub 20,

forming a seal therewith.

To position the distributing plate 48 with respect to the bottle tub 20,the bottom rim of the distributing plate 48 includes threecircumferentially-spaced top aligning sections 56, two of which areshown in FIG. 2 at 56A and 56B, and along the top rim of the wall of thebottle tub 20 are three corresponding bottom aligning sections 58, twoof which are shown in FIG. 2 at 58A and 58B, with the bottom aligningsections 58 being formed integrally with the base for the three bottomlatches 34. The top and bottom aligning sections 56 and 58 haveinterfitting portions that cause the distributing plate 48 to assume afixed relationship with the bottle tub 20 so that each location on thedistributing plate 48 is always above a certain location of the bottletub 20 when the distributing plate 48 is in place over the bottle tub20.

To distribute the sampled liquid into the outer and inner plurality'ofbottles 44 and 46, the perforated circular section 52 of thedistributing plate 48 includes an outer circle of a first plurality ofdistributing recesses or passageways 60 and an inner circle of a secondplurality of distributing recesses 62, with each distributing recessincluding an inlet recess joined to an outlet recess by a passageway,the inlet recesses of all of the distributing recesses lying in acentral circle 64 between an outer circle 66 of the outlet recesses ofthe first plurality of distributing recesses 60 and an inner circle 68of the outlet recesses of the second plurality of distributing recesses62. Each of the outlet recesses is perforated to permit a liquid to flowthrough the distributing plate 48 into a different one of the bottles inthe bottle container 42 of the bottle tub 20, with the perforationslying in the outer circle 66 of the outlet recesses being aligned withthe openings of the outer plurality of bottles 44 and with theperforations lying in the inner circle 68 of the outlet recessesbeingaligned withthe openings of the inner plurality of bottles 46.

The bottles in the outer and inner plurality of bottles 44 and 46 are ofsuch a size with respect to the bottle container 42 that they fit snuglytogether in the two rows, with their openings being radially offset sothat a line extending around the bottle container42 from one bottleopening to the other zigzags between the bottles in the outer plurality44 of bottles and the bottles in the inner plurality of bottles 46'.Each of the bottles in the outer plurality of bottles 44 is held inplace between two positioning members 47 and each of the bottles in theinner plurality of bottles 46 is held between two bottles of the outerplurality of bottles 44 in the bottle container 42 so that the openingsof the bottles are always under the perforations in'th'e outlet recessesof the first and second plurality of the distributor recesses 60and62.To distribute the liquid into the inlet recesses of the first and seconddistributing recesses 60'and 62, the control section 22 includes aperistaltic pump 70 that draws liquid through the intake hose 16 (FIG.I) and pumps it into a rotating funnel (not shown in FIG. 2) which ispart of the liquid distributing section 24 that is within the controlsection 22. The rotating funnel includes a rotating downspout thatdeposits the liquid into the inlet recesses of the first and secondplurality of distributor recesses, being arranged'to rotate above thecenter circle 64 for this purpose.

The control section 22 also includes the controls and the motor forrotating the funnel and for starting and stopping the peristaltic pump70. These controls are settable for different periods of operation anddifferent modes of operation as will be explained more fullyhereinafter.

In FIG. 3, there is shown an elevational view, partly broken away andsectioned to reveal a portion of the control section 22 and the liquiddistributing section 24 and the manner in which they are arranged tocontrol the flow of fluid from the intake hose 16 to the bottles in thebottle tub 20.

As best shown in FIG. 3, the liquid distributing section 24 includes arotatable funnel 72 having a horizontal circular rim 74'forming the topedge of a vertical, frustroconical wall 76 defining a funnel inlet,which wall is integrally formed with a sloping funnel bottom portion 78having a downspout 80 at its lowest point defining a funnel outlet. Thefunnel 72 is rotatably mounted within the control section 22 andattached by a key to drive shaft 81 which is drivenby a funnel motor(not shown) within the control section 22.

While a specific peristaltic pump 70 is shown in FIG. 3, the type ofpump is not critical to the invention, there being many suitable-typesof pumps available. The pump 70 includes a section of plastic tube 82,first pump tube guide 84, a second pump tube guide 86, a first hoseclamp 88, a second hose clamp 90, a central shaft 92, a first roller 94,a second roller 96, and a pump arm 98.

The central pump tube 82 is curved about the pump shaft 92 so as to becontacted and pressed by the two rollers 94 and 96 on the opposite endsof the shaft 98 as the shaft 92 is rotated by a pump motor (not shown)in either of two directions, a counterclockwise direction of rotation(as seen in FIG. 3) pumping liquid from the intake tube 16 into thefunnel 72 and a clockwise direction of rotation pumping liquid in theopposite direction.

To hold the pump tube 82 in place, one end of the pump tube 82 is heldby the first pump tube guide 84 and the other end by the second pumptube guide 86. The intake hose I6 is connected to the one end ofthe pumptube 82 by the first pump tube clamp 88. A funnel hose 100 is held atone end by the second pump tube clamp 90 and has its other end withinthe recess of the funnel 72 so as to guide liquid from the pump 70 intothe rotatable funnel 72, with the downward projection of the funnel hoseI00 falling on a circle within the funnel inlet.

FLOW SYSTEM OPERATION Before samples are taken, the outer plurality andthe inner plurality of bottles 44 and 46 are loaded into the bottlecompartment 42 of the bottle tub 20, with the outer plurality of bottles44 being circumferentially positioned by the bottle positioning members47 and with the inner plurality ofbottl'es 46 being circumferentiallypositioned by the outer plurality of bottles 44. Ice may be loaded intothe ice compartment to cool the liquid in the bottles when thisis-desired.

The fluid distributing plate 48 is positioned over the bottle tub withthe interfitting parts of the top and bottom aligning sections 56 and 58togetherso as to align the outlets of the distributing recesses 60 and62 of the distributing plate 48 with the openings in the bottles 44 and46 within the bottle tub 20. Next, the

control section 22 is placed over the distributing plate 48, with thefunnel 72 and other parts of the liquid distributing section 24 that arewithin the control section 22 being positioned over the fluiddistributing plate.

With the bottle tub 20, the fluid distributing section 24 and thecontrol section 22 positioned together, the stainless steel latches 34are engaged with the stainless steel latching plates 36 to hold thebottle tub 20, the distributing section 24 and the control section 22together. To protect the control section, the cover is placed over thecontrol section and latched with the latches 30 and 32. The intake hose16 extends through the opening 18 to receive the liquid.

In operation, the control section 22 starts the peristaltic pump atfixed time intervals, causing it to run in one direction for a fixedperiod of time or until a fixed volume of liquid has been drawn,reversing it until the intake hose 16 has been cleared of liquid andthem stopping the pump motor. Between periods of pumping action, thecontrol section moves the funnel 72 into position to channel the fluidinto a selected bottle.

To deposit the fluid into a selected bottle, the peristaltic pump 70rotates counterclockwise, drawing the is relatively complicated.However, since the function of the control section is merely tocoordinate the timing of the different operations and the timing of thesamfluid into the intake hose l6 and forcing it through the funnel hose100 into the recess of the funnel 72. Since the funnel 72 has a circularrim that extends beyond the funnel hose 100 and reaches almost to thewall of the control section 22, it may rotate without disturbing thefunnel hose 100 and receive the fluid from the funnel hose while in anyposition of rotation.

As the funnel 72 rotates, the downspout 80 is aligned with the centercircle 64. It is stopped by the control section 22 over each one of theinlet recesses of the distributing recesses 60 and 62 in which positionthe fluid pumped into the funnel flows from the downspout 80 into theinlet recess and then to the outlet recess. If the distributing recessinto which the fluid flows is one of the first plurality of distributingrecesses 60, the fluid flows to the outer side of the distributing plate48 and into one of the outer plurality of bottles 44 aligned with theoutlet recess; if the distributing recess into which the fluid flows isone of the second plurality of distributing recesses 62, the fluid flowsdown and toward the center of the distributing plate 48 and into one ofthe inner plurality of bottles 46 aligned with the outlet recess.

STRUCTURE OF THE CONTROL SECTION The control section 22 in the preferredembodiment ;pling it could have been extremely simple. For exam- .-ple,the peristaltic pump could be started by hand and stopped by hand when asample is taken. Moreover, the

funnel could be moved from position to position by hand so that noautomatic equipment is required and substantially no control section isnecessary.

In the preferred embodiment described herein, circuitry for operatingthe sample collector 10 in one mode is described-an automatic mode fortaking a series of samples of certain volume, each at predetermined timeintervals. However, it can be readily understood that the circuitry forsuch an automatic mode is to be combined with the equipment foroperation in simpler modes such as by hand or in semi-automatic modeswherein the volume of the fluid deposited in a single bottle iscontrolled in the manner described herein but the stepping of the funnel72 from position to position is accomplished by hand or by depressing astart button for a funnel motor that is stopped by a cam operated switchat the next position or by any other of the many known techniques forcontrolling such stepby-step operations. Similarly, while the preferredembodiment described herein includes an interval timer to determine thetime of each sample, an automatic programmer may be included thatcontrols the timing of the samples by other means such as by sensing theflow of a stream of the fluid and actuating the sample collector to takea sample at certain flow volume intervals.

Generally, the structure of the control section 22 is conventional, withthe circuitry therefor being located in the tightly sealed enclosure 101shown in FIG. 2. One unique feature is an interval timer 102 shown inFIG. 4 which generates pulses that provide an initiating signal everhalf hour for obtaining a sample when the control section is set forautomatic operation.

As best shown in FIG.'4, the interval timer 102 includes a standard D.C.clock 104 having a front face 106, a rear panel 108, a timer set knob110 and a center shaft 112. The front face 106 has appropriate timingmarkers on a dial (not shown) with the timer set knob 110 extendingtransversely therefrom by which the center shaft 112 and the hands ofthe clock are adjusted in position. The center shaft 112 extends in adirection perpendicular to the face 106 and the rear panel, 108,extending therethrough. Suitable d.c. clocks are obtainable from KienzleCo. and are identified as Model No. 86/7504. A d.c. operated clock ispreferable to an a.c. operated clock because the entire sample collectorshould preferably be operable from a storage battery power supply inorder to provide the advantage of portability.

To provide signals every half hour, a switching mechanism 114 isattached to the dc. clock 104, which switching mechanism includes anelongated permanent magnet 116 and a reed switch 118. The elongatedpermanent magnet 116 and the reed switch 118 are both mounted inpositions parallel to the rear panel 108 and to each other, with thereed switch being fastened to the d.c. clock in a fixed position andwith the elongated permanent magnet 116 being fastened to the centershaft for rotation therewith, whereby the elongated permanent magnet 116is brought into a position alinged with and adjacent to the reed switch118 to close the reed switch twice during each complete revolution ofthe center shaft. The closing of the reed switch closes a circuitincluding a source of electrical potential to actuate a sampling cycleof the fluid sampler 10.

In FIG. 5, there is shown a block diagram of the control section 22having the interval timer 102, a pump motor control 120, the pump 70, apump drive switch 122, a funnel motor control 124, a funnel motor 126,and a funnel drive switch 128.

To start, stop, and control the direction of rotation of the peristalticpump motor, the pump motor control 120 includes a switching arrangementhaving: (1) a first position into which it is switched by a signal fromthe interval timer 102 to the forward drive terminal 130 of the pumpmotor control 120 and in which position it applies power to the pumpmotor in a direction that causes the pump 70 to draw fluid into theintake hose 16 (FIGS. 1 and 3); (2) a second position into which it isswitched by a signal from the pump drive switch 122 to the reverse driveterminal 132 and in which position it stops the pump motor and appliespower to the pump motor in a direction that causes the pump to forcefluid out of the inlet of the intake hose 16 to clear the hose of fluidbefore another sample is taken; and (3) a third position into which itis switched by a signal from the pump drive switch 122 to the stopterminal 134 and in which position it stops the pump motor. This signalis also applied to the on terminal 136 of the funnel motor control 24for a purpose to be described hereinafter.

To generate the signals that are applied to the reverse input terminal132, the stop input terminal 134, and the on terminal 136, the pumpdrive switch 122 includes a cam-operated revolution-sensing switch thatis controlled by the rotation of the pump motor, and a stepping switchthat counts operations of the cam-operated switch. The stepping switchproduces a contact closure to provide a signal to the reverse inputterminal 132 of the pump motor control when the pump has rotated apredetermined number of revolutions in the forward direction to draw acertain volume of fluid into the intake hose 16 and then producesanother contact closure which provides a signal to the stop inputterminal 134 of the pump motor control 120 and to the on terminal 136 ofthe funnel motor control 124 when the pump has rotated a predeterminednumber of revolutions in the reverse direction to clear the intake hose16.

The funnel motor control 124 includes a switching arrangement having anon position in which it applies power to the funnel motor 126 to rotatethe funnel 72 into which position it is switched by a signal to its onterminal 136 from the pump drive switch 122 and an off position intowhich it is switched by a signal applied to its off input terminal 138in which position it stops the rotation of the funnel motor 126 to stopthe funnel 72 with an outlet of the distributing recesses over theopening of a bottle. To generate the signal that is applied to the offterminal 138 of the funnel motor control 124, a funnel drive switch 128,which may be a cam-operated switch, is positioned to be depressed eachtime the funnel 72 is rotated the distance between two successive inletsof the distributing recesses of the distributing plate.

OPERATION OF THE CONTROL SECTION The sample collector 10 may be operatedin any of several modes of operation. For example, in one mode ofoperation the funnel 72 is manually moved to a position over an inlet ofone of the plurality of distributing recesses 60 and 62 and the pump 70started by hand, after which the pump is stopped and reversed to clearthe intake hose 16. The pump is stopped by hand and the funnel 72 movedto another position to take another sample. In another mode ofoperation, the sample collector operates semi-automatically. In thismode the funnel motor 126 is started by depressing a botton and stoppedby a cam-operated switch when it is properly positioned over an inletrecess. The motor is then started by hand, and then reversed and stoppedby cam-operated switches actuated by the pump motor itself.

In fully automatic operation, the control system for which is shown inthe block diagram in FIG. 5, the interval timer 102 is set for astarting time at which time the first sample is taken and samples aretaken thereafter at regular intervals starting with the time set on theinterval timer 102 until the prescribed number of samples has beentaken.

To set the time of the first sample on the interval timer 102, the timerset knob 110 is depressed and set to a position ahead of the position inwhich the permanent magnet 116 is aligned with the reed switch 118. Inone embodiment, the reed switch 118 and the permanent magnet 116 arearranged during assembly to be aligned with each other on the half hourand hour. In the embodiment, the timer clock 104 is set to the correcttime and the timer switch 114 provides a signal to the pump motorcontrol 120 on the half hour and hour.

In one embodiment the signal from the interval timer 102 actuates thepump motor control 120 to start the pump 70 each time that it is appliedto the terminal 130. in another embodiment, the signal from the intervaltimer 102 steps a stepping switch (not shown) within the pump motorcontrol 120 and power is applied to the pump motor when certain selectedcontacts of the stepper switch are made, which contacts are selected tocause the pump to start at certain intervals that are multiples of halfhours.

When the pump motor is started by the signal from the interval timerl02, it draws fluid through the intake hose 16 into the funnel 72, whichguides it into the inlet of one of the plurality of distributor recesses60 and 62. The fluid flows from the inlet recess to the outlet recessand into one of the sample bottles 44 or 46 in the bottle compartment42.

As the pump motor rotates, it drives the pump drive switch 122 throughreducing gears (not shown), until a camming surface on the reducing geartrain depresses the actuating arm of a switch to apply a signal to thereverse terminal 132 of the pump motor control 120. The reducingtransmission and the camming surface are set so that the actuating arm.is depressed when a predetermined amount of fluid has been pumped intothe funnel 72.

When this actuating arm is depressed, the pump motor is stopped andreversed. As the pump motor rotates in the reverse direction, it drivesthe pump drive switch 122 until a camming surface again depresses theactuating arm of a switch, which applies signals to the stop terminal134 of the pump motor control 120 and to the on terminal 136 of thefunnel motor control 124 to stop the pump motor and to actuate thefunnel motor control 124.

When the funnel motor control 124 is actuated, the funnel motor 126 isstarted and rotates the funnel 72. When the downspout of the funnel 72reaches the next inlet recess of the plurality of distributor recesses60 and 62, a camming surface on the funnel depresses the actuating armof a switch in the funnel drive switch 128, which applies a signal tothe off terminal 138 of funnel motor control 124 to stop the funnelmotor 126.

Each time the interval timer generates a signal, this process isrepeated until the funnel reaches a reset switch after the last bottlehas been filled at which time the power to the interval timer is cutoff.

From the above description, it can be understood that the samplecollector of this invention has many advantages such as: (l) thesections of hose are short, connected directly to the pump, and arerelatively straight and stationary during the operation of the samplecollector so that clogging is reduced; (2) the hoses last longer and areeasier to clear of fluid after a sample is drawn because they are notflexed; (3) one moving part, the funnel, distributes the samples in acircular direction and a stationary plastic part, the distributingplate, distributes the fluid radially through inlets, passageways andoutlets that are molded into it, thus permitting the sample collector tobe simple in construction, inexpensive and durable; and.(4) thetolerances provided by the distributor plate and its ability to beaccurately positioned, eliminates spillage of the fluid.

Although a preferred embodiment of the invention has been described withsome particularity, many variations and modifications in the preferredembodiment are possible in the light of the above teachings.Accordingly, it is to be understood that, within the scope of theappended claims, the invention may be practiced otherwise than asspecifically described.

What is claimed is: t

l. A liquid sampler for sampling liquids from within a sewerage systemcomprising: I

a substantially cylindrical casing of small enough size to fit through asewerage manhole;

said casing including at least a substantially cylindrical verticalouter wall and bottom wall defining a bottle holding compartment;

means for drawing fluid containing sewage into said casing anddepositing it into at least one bottle; a substantially cylindrical icecompartment centered within said bottle holding compartment;

said casing including first, second andthird'sections;

said means for drawing fluid including control programming means forautomatically controlling the time said fluid is drawn in accordancewith a predetermined program;

said first section containing said bottle holding compartment andmeansfor distributing said fluid to a plurality of different bottles;

said second section being mounted on top of said first section andcontaining said control programming means; and

said third section being an inverted cover fitting over said secondsection.

2. A liquid sampler according to claim 1 further including sectionfastening means for fastening said sections with a sufficiently closefit to permit immersion of said liquid sampler for short periods of timewithout leakage into the sampler.

3. A liquid sampler according to claim 2 in which said casing is made ofa chemically resistant plastic.

4. A liquid sampler according to claim 2 further including:

harness means for lowering said casing through a manhole;

said harness means including at least one cable;

said first section including harness fastening means for fastening saidharness means to said liquid sampler;

said third section including peripherally spaced notches into which thecable of said harness means fits, whereby said harness means supportssaid liquid sampler as it is lowered in a sewerage manhole.

5. A liquid sampler according to claim 4 in which:

said harness means includes at least three cables;

said fastening means includes three eyelets;

said third section includes at least three of said peripherally spacednotches; and

each of said cables isattached to a different one of said eyelets at oneend and fits into a different one of said notches.

6. A liquid sampler according to claim 5 in which:

at least two of said first, second and third sections include means foraligning said two sections;

- 1 1 said means for aligning said two sections includes firstinterfitting wall portions on a first of said two sections and secondinterfitting wall portions on a second of said two sections, said firstand second interfitting wall portions being complementary.

7. A liquid sampler according to claim 1 in which at least two of saidfirst, second and third sections includes means for aligning said twosections; said means for aligning said two sections including firstinterfitting wall portions on a first of said two sections and secondinterfitting wall portions on a second of said two sections, said firstand second interfitting wall portions being complementary.

8. A liquid sampler according to claim 1 in which one of said first,second and third sections includes harness fastening means for fasteningsaid harness to a liquid sampler.

9. A liquid sampler according to claim 8 in which said harness fasteningmeans includes at least three eyelets adapted to receive a harness.

10. A liquid sampler according to claim 8 in which said harness includesat least one cable and said third section includes peripherally spacednotches adapted to receive the cable of said harness.

11. A liquid sampler for sampling liquids from within a sewerage systemcomprising:

a substantially cylindrical casing of small enough size to fit through asewerage manhole;

said casing including at least a substantially cylindrical verticalouter wall and bottom wall defining a bottle holding compartment;

means for drawing fluid containing sewage into said casing anddepositing it into at least one bottle;

harness means for lowering said casing through a manhole;

said harness means including at least one cable and said casingincluding a cover having concave wall portions definingcircumferentially-spaced notches into which said cable of said harnessmeans fits; said casing including first,-second and third sections; saidmeans for drawing fluids including control programming means forautomatically controlling the 12 time said fluid is drawn in accordancewith a predetermined program;

- said first section containing said bottle holding comincluding an icecompartment within the central portion of said bottle compartment.

13. A liquid sampler for sampling liquids from within a seweragecomprising:

a substantially cylindrical casing of small enough size to fit through asewerage manhole;

said casing including at least one substantially cylindrical outer walland bottom wall defining a bottom holding compartment;

means for drawing fluid containing sewage into said casing anddepositing it into at least one bottle;

harness means for lowering said casing through a manhole;

said harness means including at least one cable and said casingincluding a cover having concave wall portions definingcircumferentially-spaced notches into which said cable of said harnessmeans fits;

said casing including first, second and third sections;

said means for drawing fluids including control programming means forautomatically controlling the time said fluid is drawn in accordancewith a predetermined program;

said first section containing said bottle holding compartment;

said second section being mounted on top of said first section andcontaining said control programming means;

said third section including said cover and being adapted to fit oversaid second section; and

an ice compartment within a central portion of said bottle holdingcompartment.

UNITED STATES PATENT AND TRADEMARK OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTIONPATENT N0. 3, 927, 701 Page 1 of, 2

DATED 3 December 23, 1975 V I Louis Franklin Lederer It is certifiedthat error appears in the above-identified patent and that said LettersPatent are hereby corrected as shown below:

In the Abstract line 22, before the word "inlets", omit the word "the".

Column 1, line 8, change the Word "field" to "fluid".

Column 2, line 4, after the word "about", insert the word "the".

Column 3, line 20, change the word "a" to "at".

Column 3, line 35, omit the second appearance of the Words "the bottletub 20".

Column 3,

Column 3, line 50, after the word "tub", insert "20".

Column 4, line 49, change "plurality 44 of bottles" to "plurality ofbottles 44".

Column 5, line 34, change "shaft 98" to "pump arm 98".

Column 6, line 19, change the word "them" to "then".

Column 7, line 19, change the word "ever" to "every".

Column 7, line 22, change "D.C."' to "d.c.".

Column 7, lines 47 and 48, change the Word "alinged" to "aligned".

line 37, after the word "section", change "2" to "22".

UNITED STATES PATENT AND TRADEMARK OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTIONPATENT NO. 3 927 7 1 Page 2 of 2 DATED 3 December 23, 1975 INVENTO ILouis Franklin Lederer It is certified that error appears in theabove-identified patent and that said Letters Patent are herebycorrected as shown below:

Column 8, line 6, change "stop terminal" to "stop input terminal".

Column 8, line 9, after the word "control" change "24" to "124".

Column 8, line 38, change "off terminal" to "off input terminal".

Column 9, line 8, change "the embodiment" to "this embodiment".

Column 9, line 32, change "reverse terminal" to "reverse inputterminal".

Column 9, line 52, change "off terminal" to "off input terminal".

Column 10, line 53, after the semicolon, insert the word "and" Signedand Scaled this Fins: D a y of January I980 [SEAL] Attest:

SIDNEY A. DIAMOND Arresting Oflicer Commissioner of Patents andTrademarks

1. A liquid sampler for sampling liquids from within a sewerage systemcomprising: a substantially cylindrical casing of small enough size tofit through a sewerage manhole; said casing including at least asubstantially cylindrical vertical outer wall and bottom wall defining abottle holding compartment; means for drawing fluid containing sewageinto said casing and depositing it into at least one bottle; asubstantially cylindrical ice compartment centered within said bottleholding compartment; said casing including first, second and thirdsections; said means for drawing fluid including control programmingmeans for automatically controlling the time said fluid is drawn inaccordance with a predetermined program; said first section containingsaid bottle holding compartment and means for distributing said fluid toa plurality of different bottles; said second section being mounted ontop of said first section and containing said control programming means;and said third section being an inverted cover fitting over said secondsection.
 2. A liquid sampler according to claim 1 further includingsection fastening means for fastening said sections with a sufficientlyclose fit to permit immersion of said liquid sampler for short periodsof time without leakage into the sampler.
 3. A liquid sampler accordIngto claim 2 in which said casing is made of a chemically resistantplastic.
 4. A liquid sampler according to claim 2 further including:harness means for lowering said casing through a manhole; said harnessmeans including at least one cable; said first section including harnessfastening means for fastening said harness means to said liquid sampler;said third section including peripherally spaced notches into which thecable of said harness means fits, whereby said harness means supportssaid liquid sampler as it is lowered in a sewerage manhole.
 5. A liquidsampler according to claim 4 in which: said harness means includes atleast three cables; said fastening means includes three eyelets; saidthird section includes at least three of said peripherally spacednotches; and each of said cables is attached to a different one of saideyelets at one end and fits into a different one of said notches.
 6. Aliquid sampler according to claim 5 in which: at least two of saidfirst, second and third sections include means for aligning said twosections; said means for aligning said two sections includes firstinterfitting wall portions on a first of said two sections and secondinterfitting wall portions on a second of said two sections, said firstand second interfitting wall portions being complementary.
 7. A liquidsampler according to claim 1 in which at least two of said first, secondand third sections includes means for aligning said two sections; saidmeans for aligning said two sections including first interfitting wallportions on a first of said two sections and second interfitting wallportions on a second of said two sections, said first and secondinterfitting wall portions being complementary.
 8. A liquid sampleraccording to claim 1 in which one of said first, second and thirdsections includes harness fastening means for fastening said harness toa liquid sampler.
 9. A liquid sampler according to claim 8 in which saidharness fastening means includes at least three eyelets adapted toreceive a harness.
 10. A liquid sampler according to claim 8 in whichsaid harness includes at least one cable and said third section includesperipherally spaced notches adapted to receive the cable of saidharness.
 11. A liquid sampler for sampling liquids from within asewerage system comprising: a substantially cylindrical casing of smallenough size to fit through a sewerage manhole; said casing including atleast a substantially cylindrical vertical outer wall and bottom walldefining a bottle holding compartment; means for drawing fluidcontaining sewage into said casing and depositing it into at least onebottle; harness means for lowering said casing through a manhole; saidharness means including at least one cable and said casing including acover having concave wall portions defining circumferentially-spacednotches into which said cable of said harness means fits; said casingincluding first, second and third sections; said means for drawingfluids including control programming means for automatically controllingthe time said fluid is drawn in accordance with a predetermined program;said first section containing said bottle holding compartment and meansfor distributing said fluid to bottles; said second section beingmounted on top of said first section and containing said controlprogramming means; and said third section including said cover and beingadapted to fit over said second section.
 12. A fluid sampler accordingto claim 11 further including an ice compartment within the centralportion of said bottle compartment.
 13. A liquid sampler for samplingliquids from within a sewerage comprising: a substantially cylindricalcasing of small enough size to fit through a sewerage manhole; saidcasing including at least one substantially cylindrical outer wall andbottom wall defining a bottom holding coMpartment; means for drawingfluid containing sewage into said casing and depositing it into at leastone bottle; harness means for lowering said casing through a manhole;said harness means including at least one cable and said casingincluding a cover having concave wall portions definingcircumferentially-spaced notches into which said cable of said harnessmeans fits; said casing including first, second and third sections; saidmeans for drawing fluids including control programming means forautomatically controlling the time said fluid is drawn in accordancewith a predetermined program; said first section containing said bottleholding compartment; said second section being mounted on top of saidfirst section and containing said control programming means; said thirdsection including said cover and being adapted to fit over said secondsection; and an ice compartment within a central portion of said bottleholding compartment.